System and method for performing a task with telephone line settings on a switch through a telephone call

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an automated system for retrieving, delivering and modifying subscriber line settings through requests from a maintenance technician to a telephone service provider&#39;s (“telco&#39;s”) systems. The system and method disclosed utilizes standard AIN queries, call setup messages and information delivery services thereby avoiding the need to use a terminal interface into the telco&#39;s systems. The technician enters data in response to prompts from a service node communicating with the technician via a telephone call. The service node sends the technician&#39;s request to a service control point which forwards the call to the switch serving the subscriber&#39;s line to be analyzed or modified. The switch responds to instructions provided by the service control point to effectuate the technician&#39;s request and sends the results to a telephone line designated by the technician.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to telecommunications systems.More particularly, the present invention relates to an advancedintelligent network system for facilitating troubleshooting problemsrelated to provisioning telephone services and features.

2. Background of the Invention

In the present telecommunications infrastructure, subscribers areprovided a wide range of improved services and special features inaddition to regular plain old telephone service (“POTS”). Examples ofsuch enhancements include caller-id, call-waiting, automatic call-back,message waiting, anonymous call rejection, automatic re-call, and thelike. Such enhancements are provided through a complex set ofinteractions between the various network elements. The complexity of theinteractions is greatly increased when a single subscriber utilizesmultiple features.

When a subscriber subscribes to a new service, one or more of thefollowing actions may be executed: an AIN trigger may be placed on thesubscriber's line at a service switching point (“SSP”); a database on aservice control point (“SCP”) may be updated with additionalinformation; and/or a database on a service node (“SN”) may be updated.When a new service or feature is being offered system-wide, the SN orSCP may require new programming logic, or AIN triggers may beprovisioned globally on the SSP. Because of the complexity and largenumber of combinations of data and programming options, problemssometimes arise with a subscriber's telephone service.

When a subscriber reports such problems to a service center, diagnosisand correction using conventional systems and methods is a multi-stepprocess. A trouble ticket is created and assigned to a maintenancetechnician. The maintenance technician must login to the subscriber'sSSP to analyze the settings on the subscriber's line. The technicianmust then diagnose the problem and implement corrective actions.Finally, the technician must verify that the problem is resolved, eitherby testing the subscriber's line or by asking the subscriber to test theline.

In conventional systems, access to switching equipment is generallyrestricted to special terminals physically located on the telephoneservice provider's (“telco's”) premises. In some instances, the telcomay allow remote terminal access via a secure access interface.Furthermore, conventional switching systems generally have only alimited number of ports available for technicians logging in. Thus, whena technician logs into a switching system to diagnose a singlesubscriber's problem, a valuable interface port is tied-up. This limitsthe number of ports available to diagnose and resolve any problemsaffecting users system-wide.

Additionally, telecommunication system vendors typically providerudimentary user interfaces with their systems. Thus, using conventionalmethods, maintenance technicians must have the specialized skills andknowledge to effectively interact with the switching systems. Suchspecialized skills and knowledge are generally vendor-specific, makingit more difficult for the technician to diagnose and correct problemswhen systems from multiple vendors are deployed in the telco's network.

There is therefore a need for a system and method allowing a technicianto perform tasks with telephone line settings without the need forlogging into the telco's systems. More specifically, there is a need fora system and method allowing a technician to retrieve or modify thetelephone line settings on the switch through a telephone call. Furtherthere is a need for automated diagnosis of common problems associatedwith telephone services and features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention utilizes an Advanced Intelligent Network (“AIN”)to provide an automated system and method for performing tasks withtelephone line settings on a switch using a telephone call. The taskssuch as retrieval, delivery and modification of telephone line settingsmay be performed using the system and method of the present invention.AIN systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,301, U.S. Pat. No.5,774,533 and Bellcore Specification TR-NWT-001284, Switching SystemsGeneric Requirements for AIN 0.1, which are all incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. The system and method of the presentinvention uses standard AIN queries, call setup messages and informationdelivery services.

A technician obtains the telephone line settings by placing a telephonecall to a special access number for the automated system. The technicianmay place this call using any telephone line in the public switchedtelephone network. The telephone line need not be a land-based line,i.e., the technician's telephone line may be a mobile line if desired.The special access number is provisioned with a suitable AIN trigger ona switch operated by the telco. As a security measure, the systemrequests an authorization code or PIN from the caller to preventunauthorized access to the telco's systems. After verifying the caller'sauthorization to use the system, the call is forwarded to a service nodewhich prompts the technician to provide information required toretrieve, deliver and modify the data for a particular telephone line.

When line settings are being requested, it is desirable for thetechnician to place the telephone call to the special access numberusing one telephone line and to receive the results using a secondtelephone line having calling number and/or calling name delivery.Essentially, the technician's call is terminated to the second telephoneline as if the technician had dialed that line directly. However, ratherdelivering the technician's true calling number or calling name, thetest results data or a text message identifying the results aredelivered to the second line. Thus, three pieces of information aregathered by the service node: a telephone number that is to be tested, atest code and a telephone number for receiving the test results. Whenthe subscriber line data is being modified, the technician need onlyprovide the telephone number for the line to be modified and a modifycode indicating the parameters to be changed.

The technician may enter the information required using any suitablemeans, e.g., a touch tone phone, a computer or an automated dialer. In apreferred embodiment, the service node “walks” the technician through aseries of questions regarding the reported trouble and uses thetechnician's responses to formulate the test code or the modify code asthe case may be. The service node transmits the information provided bythe technician to the service control point. The service control pointuses this information to determine the actions necessary to carry outthe technician's instructions. The service control point modifies thecall parameters to flag the call as a request from the automated systemof the present invention. The service control point also modifies thecalled party number field to route the call to the line to be tested ormodified. Optionally, the service control point may ensure that the lineto be tested or modified has an active Termination Attempt Trigger(“TAT”) or other suitable AIN trigger. This can be accomplished bysending an Update_Request message to the switch serving the line.

The call is forwarded to the service switching point serving the line tobe tested or modified. The trigger on the line is encountered promptingthat switch to issue a database query back to the service control point.When the service control point receives the query, the flag indicatesthat the call is really a request for retrieval, display or modificationof the switch settings for the called line. Thus, the service controlpoint instructs the switch to either retrieve the requested data or tomodify the data fields for the line, according to the flag.

If the instruction relates to modification of line data, the servicecontrol point responds to the database query by instructing the switchto end the call. If the instruction relates to retrieval of line data,the service control point responds to the query by writing a testresults code in the calling party field of the call, and rerouting it tothe telephone number designated by the technician to receive the testresults. The switch processes the call according to the new callparameters and the call is eventually terminated to the technician'ssecond line by the appropriate switch.

Once the call is terminated to the technician's second line, the testresults may be delivered in a variety of forms. For example, a simplenumeric code may be provided using a calling number delivery service.Alternatively, the code may be translated to a text string and displayedusing a calling name delivery system. In another embodiment, the testcode may be delivered to a computer which translates the code for thetechnician. In another embodiment, the code may be stored in a voice ortext mailbox which the technician may retrieve at a later date.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automated systemfor performing a task with telephone line settings on a switch.

It is another object of the present invention to use an AdvancedIntelligent Network to provide an automated system for retrieval,delivery and modification of telephone line settings.

It is another object of the present invention to retrieve telephone linesettings from a switch via a telephone call.

It is another object of the present invention to modify telephone linesettings from a switch via a telephone line display service.

These and other objects of the present invention are described ingreater detail in the detailed description of the invention, theappended drawing and the attached claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the key components of a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2a and 2 b are flow charts showing the steps performed in apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As noted above, the present invention provides a system and method forperforming a task with telephone line settings on a switch. The systemand method are described herein with reference to the elements of anAdvanced Intelligent Network (“AIN”) shown in FIG. 1 and the flow chartsshown in FIGS. 2a and 2 b. As would be apparent to one skilled in theart, although FIG. 1 shows multiple SSPs and multiple inter-exchangecarriers (“IXCs”), the present invention does not require multiple SSPsand IXCs.

FIG. 1 shows subscriber 10 having telephone 11 connected to subscriberline 12. A problem associated with a subscribed feature on line 12 hasbeen reported to the telco and a maintenance trouble ticket has beengenerated. The system and method of present invention allows technician13 to diagnose and correct the problem using telephones 14 and 15connected to subscriber lines 16 and 17, respectively. As shown in FIG.1, subscriber lines 16 and 17 may be located anywhere within publicswitched telephone network (“PSTN”) 18. In this example, subscriber line16 is connected to IXC 19 and subscriber 17 is connected to SSP 20. SSP20 is connected to IXC 21. IXCs 19 and 21 provide communications linksto the telco's SSPs 22 and 23. As would be apparent to those skilled inthe art, subscriber lines 16 and 17 need not be land-based lines, i.e.,one or both of subscriber lines 16 and 17 could be wireless connectionsin PSTN 18. Moreover, subscriber line 16 and 17 could be directlyconnected to SSPs operated by the telco, i.e., IXCs 19 and 20 are notnecessary components (of the present invention. Finally, telephones 14and 15 need not be co-located, i.e., one technician could initiate thecall using telephone 14 and another technician could receive the resultson telephone 15.

To diagnose and correct a problem with subscriber line 12, technician 13must perform certain tasks on SSP 23 with the settings for subscriberline 12. Using the system and method of the present invention,technician 13 can perform these tasks on SSP 23 using a telephone callwithout the need for logging onto the switch. Technician 13 usestelephone 14 and subscriber line 16 to call a special access number setup by the telco. (Step 200 in FIG. 2a). As shown in FIG. 1, the specialaccess number in this example is a telephone number on SSP 22. In apreferred embodiment, the system ensures only authorized callers canperform tasks on the switch as described below.

The special access number on SSP 22 is provisioned with a suitable AINtrigger, e.g., a TAT, to trap the call. (Step 205). In response to thetrigger, SSP 22 sends a database query to,SCP 24. (Step 210). SCP 24instructs SSP 22 to prompt the caller, i.e., technician 13, to enter apersonal identification number (“PIN”) or some other authorizationcode(s). (Step 215). SSP 22 collects the digits entered by technician 13and transmits the collected digits to SCP 24 for verification. SCP 24checks database 24 a to verify the caller's authorization code. (Step220). If the authorization code is not found, SCP 24 instructs SSP 22 toend the call. If the caller is authorized to proceed, SCP 24 sends anAuthorize_Termination message to SSP 22 directing SSP 22 to continuecall processing using the call parameters as provided by SCP 24 in theAuthorize_Termination message. (Step 230). In a preferred embodiment,SCP 24 provides new billing parameters in the Authorize_Terminationmessage. The new billing parameters allow technician 13 to call thespecial telephone access number from any location without incurringcharges on the line from which the call is placed. In a preferredembodiment, the new billing parameters are AIN Automated MessageAccounting (“AMA”) parameters, including: AMAslpID,AMAAlternateBillingNumber and ChargeNumber. AIN AMA parameters aredescribed in Bellcore TR-NWT-001100, Bellcore Automatic MessageAccounting Format Requirements, Issued Feb. 2, 1993.

As noted above, SSP 22 terminates technician 13's call to SN 25. SN 25is programmed to play a series of announcements to prompt the technicianfor requirements, i.e., to identify the task(s) to be performed, and thetarget telephone number, i.e., the 10-digit telephone number forsubscriber line 12. (Step 235). In a preferred embodiment, therequirements comprise an instruction code and, if appropriate, atelephone number to deliver any output from the task. The instructioncode is a numeric string of (up to ten) digits corresponding to thespecific task or tasks to be performed with the line settings on theswitch. For example an instruction code of “1410000000” could indicatethat the required task is to retrieve and display line 12'scall-forwarding status. In a preferred embodiment, SN 25 leadstechnician 13 through a series of cascading menus and constructs theinstruction code based on the input from the technician. (Step 240). Inan alternate embodiment, technician 13 uses a pre-defined list of tasksand corresponding instruction codes to input the instruction code. Inanother embodiment, technician 13 is provided with an automatic dialerhandset with the most common instruction codes pre-programmed to speedkeying in of the code.

SN 25 constructs a string, up to thirty-two digits in length, andoutpulses the string to SSP 22. (Step 240). Preferably, the string hasthe form: CXXXXXXXXXXYYYYYYYYYYZZZZZZZZZZ#, where C is a customizeddialing plan (“CDP”) code for the system of the present invention, XX isthe 10-digit telephone number for the target line, YY is the instructioncode and ZZ is the 10-digit output telephone number, if one is provided.As is known to those skilled in the art, the “#” character is used as adelimiter to signify the end of the string. In a preferred embodiment, Cis limited to a single digit to allow for a maximum length of ten digitsfor the instruction code.

A CDP trigger is encountered at SSP 22 upon receipt of CDP code C. SSP22 waits for all digits in the string to be received then sends anInfo_Analyzed query to SCP 24. (Step 245). The Info_Analyzed querycontains all of the digits in the string received from SN 25. Based onthe value of C, SCP 24 recognizes that the call is to be handled underthe system and method of the present invention.

Upon receipt of the Info_Analyzed query, SCP 24 marks the call accordingto the instruction code and inserts new billing parameters as discussedabove. (Step 250). SCP 24 marks the call by making several changes inthe calling parameters. A marker code “NNNNN” (up to 5 digits inlength), is inserted in the beginning of the calling party number(“CgPN”) field. The marker code is a pre-defined code indicating thecall is to be handled under the system and method of the presentinvention. Preferably, the first digit of the marker code is either “0”or “1” to distinguish the number from a North American Numbering Plan(“NANP”) number. The remaining digits in the CgPN are changed to theoutput telephone number, “ZZZZZZZZZZ,” if one was provided. The calledparty number (“CdPN”) is changed to the target telephone number,“XXXXXXXXXX.” Finally, the redirecting party number is changed to theinstruction code, “YYYYYYYYYY.” SCP 24 sends an Analyze_Route messagewith the new calling parameters to SSP 22. (Step 250). Because the CdPNwas changed to the target telephone number, SSP 22 processes the callwith SSP 23.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed thatall subscriber telephone lines are provisioned with a TAT. Even if theline has a TAT, the trigger may be inactive, so SCP 24 sends anUpdate_Request message to SSP 23 before or concurrent with theAnalyze_Route response sent to SSP 22. The Update_Request messageinstructs SSP 23 to activate the TAT on the line corresponding to the DNunder test. If subscriber line 12 is not provisioned with a TAT,technician 13's telephone call will be terminated to the line, resultingin a ring or busy state.

When the call arrives at SSP 23, it hits the TAT on the target telephonenumber. (Step 260). In response to the TAT, SSP 23 issues a query to SCP24. (Step 265). The query contains all of the usual fields, includingthe changes made to the CgPN, CdPN and redirecting party number fields.When SCP 24 receives the database query from SSP 23, the marker code atthe beginning of the CgPN indicates that a task is to be performed. SCP24 determines the task(s) by examining the instruction code and theother information contained in the calling parameters. SCP 24 thenissues an appropriate instruction message to SSP 23. (Step 270). If anyoutput is generated by the instruction, SCP 24 directs SSP 23 to deliverthe output to the output telephone number as described below in moredetail below. If no output is expected, SCP 24 instructs SSP 23 to endthe telephone call. The flow chart in FIG. 2b is an expanded descriptionof the events that occur in step 270, depending on the nature of thetask. In step 300 (in FIG. 2b), SCP 24 retrieves the instruction codefrom the redirecting party field to issue an appropriate instruction. Instep 305, SCP 24 determines whether or not the task generates output.The first section below, describes the events when the task generatesoutput (steps 310-340), such as when the technician requests display ofthe subscriber line settings. The second section describes the eventswhen the task does not generate output (steps 350-360), such as when thetechnician requests a modification of the subscriber line settings onthe switch.

Task With Output

As noted above, if the task to be performed with the line settings onthe switch has output, the technician is prompted to enter an outputtelephone number as part of the requirements defining the task. (Step235). The output telephone number indicates where the output will bedelivered. In a preferred embodiment, the output telephone numbercorresponds to a line different from line 16, e.g., line 17.Alternatively, the number could be the telephone number for the linefrom which technician 13 is placing the call, i.e., line 16. However, inthis alternate embodiment, line 16 would need call-waiting with callingnumber or calling name delivery.

Suppose that technician 13 wants to determine the call-forwarding statusfor subscriber line 12. In this case, the instruction code provided toSCP 24 could be “1410000000” as discussed above. Thus, in step 300, SCP24 sends a Query_Request message to SSP 23 providing the targettelephone number and the appropriate parameters instructing SSP 23 toretrieve the call-forwarding settings for line 12. In step 310, SSP 23returns the output of the instruction to SCP 24. SCP 24 constructs aresults code according to the output data received from SSP 23. (Step315). The results code is a string (up to 15-digits long) indicating thestatus of the line under test. For example, a results code of“141100000000000” could indicate that call-forwarding has not beenturned on for the subscriber's line.

SCP 24 retrieves the output telephone number from the CdPN field (step320) and sends a Forward_Call message back to SSP 23. The Forward_Callmessage serves as SCP 24's response to the database query (from step265). In the Forward_Call message, SCP 24 writes the results code in theCgPN field and the output telephone, i.e., “ZZZZZZZZZZ” in the CdPN.(Step 325). SSP 23 continues processing the call using the newparameters supplied by SCP 24. (Step 335). SSP 23 forwards the call toSSP 20 since the CgPN, i.e., “ZZZZZZZZZZ,” is a telephone number on SSP20, as shown in FIG. 1. When SSP 20 terminates the call to line 17, theresults code is delivered and displayed as the calling party number ondisplay device 15 a. (Step 340). Technician 13 decodes the results codeto determine the line settings for subscriber line 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the results code and its translation arestored in a calling name delivery service database. In this embodiment,line 17 has calling number and calling name delivery, and display device15 a can display both the calling number and the calling name. Forexample, the calling name database entry for the number “141100000000”could be set to “CFWD off” to indicate that call forwarding is turnedoff. Thus, when the call is forwarded to the output telephone number,the results code and decoded translation are displayed to technician 13.In an alternate embodiment, line 17 is attached to a computer whichreceives and decodes the results code.

Task With No Output

Not all tasks performed with subscriber line settings on a switchgenerate output. For example, once technician 13 has diagnosed theproblem, the system and method of the present invention can be used tochange the settings for line 12 on the switch. Such a task does notgenerate output. The switch is merely instructed to make the change asrequested. As noted above, SCP 24 determines the appropriate action byexamining the instruction code. For example, if the task is to turn oncall-forwarding for subscriber line 12, the instruction code might be“0410000000.”

In this example, SCP 24 instructs SSP 23 to modify the parameters forthe subscriber line by sending an Update message. (Step 300). The Updatemessage provides the target telephone number and the instructionsregarding data fields to be changed. Upon receipt of the Update message,SSP 23 updates the data fields for line 12 as requested. (Step 350). SCP24 completes the procedure by responding to SSP 23's database query withan instruction to disconnect the call. (Step 360). In a preferredembodiment, the response from SCP 24 includes an instruction to play anannouncement to technician 13 indicating that the request has beenprocessed before disconnecting the call. (Step 355).

The foregoing disclosure of embodiments of the present invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodimentsdescribed herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art inlight of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to bedefined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

What we claim is:
 1. A method for performing a task with a subscriberline setting on a first switch through a telephone call, comprising:receiving a first telephone number and an instruction code on a servicecontrol point; performing the task with the subscriber line setting forthe first telephone number on the first switch according to theinstruction code; receiving the telephone call to a first telephoneaccess number on a second switch; receiving an authorization code on aservice control point; verifying the authorization code on the servicecontrol point; and directing the telephone call to a second telephoneaccess number, said second telephone access number assigned to a servicenode.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting on theservice node a plurality of requirements and constructing theinstruction code according to the plurality of requirements.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the first switch and the second switch arethe same switch.
 4. A method for performing a task with a subscriberline setting on a first switch through a telephone call comprising:receiving a first telephone number and an instruction code on a servicecontrol point; performing the task with the subscriber line setting forthe first telephone number on the first switch according to theinstruction code; marking the telephone call as a request to perform thetask; forwarding the telephone call to the first telephone number,thereby encountering a trigger on the first telephone number at thefirst switch; sending a database query from the first switch to theservice control point in response to the trigger; and responding to thedatabase query on the service control point by instructing the firstswitch to perform the task with the subscriber line setting according tothe instruction code.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step ofmarking the telephone call as a request to perform the task comprisesthe step of writing a marker in a first portion and the test code in asecond portion of a telephone call setup message.
 6. The method of claim5, wherein the first portion of the telephone call setup message is afirst portion of a calling party number field and the second portion ofthe telephone call setup message is a redirecting party number field. 7.The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of modifying abilling field in a call setup message.
 8. A method for performing a taskwith a subscriber line setting on a first switch through a telephonecall, comprising: receiving a first telephone number and an instructioncode on a service control point; and performing the task with thesubscriber line setting for the first telephone number, wherein the taskcomprises retrieving the subscriber line data from the switch; receivinga second telephone number on the service control point; delivering thesubscriber line setting to the second telephone number; marking thetelephone call as a request for the subscriber line setting; forwardingthe telephone call to the first telephone number, thereby encountering atrigger on the first telephone number at the first switch; sending adatabase query from the first switch to the service control point inresponse to the trigger; and responding to the database query on theservice control point by; instructing the first switch to send thesubscriber line setting according to the instruction code, writing aresults code in a first portion of a telephone call setup message, andinstructing the first switch to forward the telephone call to the secondtelephone number.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first portion ofthe telephone call setup message is a calling party number field. 10.The method of claim 8, wherein the step of marking the telephone call asa request for the subscriber line setting comprises writing a marker ina second portion, the second telephone number in a third portion and theinstruction code in a fourth portion of a telephone call setup message.11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second portion of the telephonecall setup message is a first portion of the calling party number field,the third portion of the telephone call setup message is a secondportion of a calling party number field and the fourth portion of thetelephone call setup message is a redirecting party number field. 12.The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of delivering theresults code to a display device connected to a telephone line assignedto the second telephone number.
 13. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: populating a calling name database with a plurality ofresults codes and corresponding message texts; looking up the resultscode in the calling name database; and delivering a message text on adisplay device connected to a telephone line assigned to the secondtelephone number.
 14. A system for performing a task with a subscriberline setting on a first switch through a telephone call comprising: aservice control point in communication with the first switch; means forreceiving a first telephone number and an instruction code on theservice control point; and means for performing the task with subscriberline setting for the first telephone number on the first switchaccording to the instruction code, wherein the means for receiving afirst telephone number and an instruction code on the service controlpoint comprises: a service node in communication with a second switch,wherein when the telephone call is connected to the service node, theservice node collects a first telephone number and a plurality ofrequirements, and the service node constructs an instruction codeaccording to the plurality of requirements; and a customized dial plantrigger on the second switch, wherein when the service node sends asequence of digits comprising a customized dialing plan code, the firsttelephone number and the instruction code to the second switch, thecustomized dial plan trigger causes the second switch to send the firsttelephone number and the instruction code to the service control point.15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first switch and the secondswitch are the same switch.
 16. A system for performing a task with asubscriber line setting on a first switch through a telephone callcomprising: a service control point in communication with the firstswitch; means for receiving a first telephone number and an instructioncode on the service control point. means for performing the task withsubscriber line setting for the first telephone number on the firstswitch according to the instruction code; a trigger provisioned on afirst telephone access number on the second switch, wherein when thesecond switch receives the telephone call to the first telephone accessnumber, the second switch collects an authorization code and sends theauthorization code to the service control point; means for verifying theauthorization code on the service control point; and means for directingthe telephone call to a second telephone access number, said secondtelephone access number assigned to the service node.
 17. A system forperforming a task with a subscriber line setting on a first switchthrough a telephone call comprising: a service control point incommunication with the first switch; means for receiving a firsttelephone number and an instruction code on the service control point;means for performing the task with subscriber line setting for the firsttelephone number on the first switch according to the instruction code;means for marking the telephone call as a request to perform the task;means for forwarding the telephone call to the first telephone number,thereby encountering a trigger on the first telephone number at thefirst switch; means for sending a database query from the first switchto the service control point in response to the trigger; and means forresponding to the database query on the service control point byinstructing the first switch to perform the task with the subscriberline setting according to the instruction code.
 18. The system of claim17, wherein the service control point writes a marker in a first portionof a telephone call setup message and the instruction code in a secondportion of the telephone call setup message.
 19. The system of claim 18,wherein the first portion of the telephone call setup message is a firstportion of a calling party number field and the second portion of thetelephone call setup message is a redirecting party number field.
 20. Asystem for performing a task with a subscriber line setting on a firstswitch through a telephone call comprising: a service control point incommunication with the first switch; means for receiving a firsttelephone number and an instruction code on the service control point;means for performing the task with subscriber line setting for the firsttelephone number on the first switch according to the instruction code;wherein the task comprises retrieving the subscriber line setting fromthe switch; means for receiving a second telephone number on the servicecontrol point; means for delivering the subscriber line setting to thesecond telephone number; and a trigger on the first telephone number onthe first switch, wherein the service control point writes a marker in afirst portion, the second telephone number in a second portion and theinstruction code in a third portion of a telephone call setup message,and instructs the second switch to forward the telephone call to thefirst telephone number, wherein the first switch queries the servicecontrol point in response to the trigger; and the service control pointinstructs the first switch to send the subscriber line setting accordingto the instruction code.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the firstportion of the telephone call setup message is a first portion of thecalling party number field, the second portion of the telephone callsetup message is a second portion of a calling party number field andthe third portion of the telephone call setup message is a redirectingparty number field.
 22. The system of claim 20 wherein the servicecontrol point writes a results code in the calling party number field ofa telephone call setup message and instructs the first switch to forwardthe telephone call to the second telephone number.
 23. A method formodifying a subscriber line setting on a first switch through atelephone call, comprising: receiving a first telephone number andmodify code on a service control point; modifying the subscriber linesetting for the first telephone number on the first switch according tothe modify code; receiving the telephone call to a first telephoneaccess number on a second switch; receiving an authorization code on aservice control point; verifying the authorization code on the servicecontrol point; and directing the telephone call to a second accessnumber, said second telephone access number assigned to a service node.24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first switch and the secondswitch are the same switch.
 25. A method for modifying a subscriber linesetting on a first switch through a telephone call comprising: receivinga first telephone number and modify code on a service control point;modifying the subscriber line setting for the first telephone number onthe first switch according to the modify code; marking the telephonecall as a request to modify subscriber line characteristics; forwardingthe telephone call to the first telephone number, thereby encountering atrigger on the first telephone number at the first switch; sending adatabase query from the first switch to the service control point inresponse to the trigger; and responding to the database query on theservice control point by instructing the first switch to modify thesubscriber line setting according to the modify code.
 26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein the step of marking the telephone call as a request tomodify subscriber line characteristics comprises the step of writing amarker in a first portion and the test code in a second portion of atelephone call setup message.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein thefirst portion of the telephone call setup message is a first portion ofa calling party number field and the second portion of the telephonecall setup message is a redirecting party number field.
 28. A system formodifying a plurality of subscriber line data through a telephone callcomprising: a service node in communication with a first switch and asecond switch, said second switch having a telephone access numberprovisioned with a first trigger, wherein a telephone call to thetelephone access number is connected to the service node and the servicenode collects a modify code and a first telephone number; and a servicecontrol point in communication with the service node, wherein theservice control point writes a marker in a first portion and the modifycode in a second portion of a telephone call setup message, and forwardsthe telephone call to the first telephone number, thereby activating asecond trigger on the first switch, wherein the first switch sends adatabase query to the service control point, and wherein the servicecontrol points responds by instructing the first switch to modify theplurality of subscriber line data according to the modify code and tothen disconnect the telephone call.
 29. The system of claim 28, whereinthe first trigger causes the second switch to send a query to theservice control point, wherein the service control point collects anauthorization code, and wherein if the authorization code is valid, theservice control point directs the second switch to connect the call tothe service node.
 30. The system of claim 28, wherein the first portionof the telephone call setup message is first portion of a calling partynumber field.
 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the second portion ofthe telephone call setup message is a redirecting party number field.32. The system of claim 28, further comprising a means for verifying acaller's authorization code.
 33. The system of claim 28, wherein theservice node comprises a menu of options for selecting the modify code.